Official Review

I really wanted to like this because I think Pablo has great potential for creativity. However, the big problem I have with this is that is doesn’t stand on it’s own. There is not a lot that is more frustrating than to read the explanation for an effect and then find that in the middle of the explanation, it says “If you don’t know what … is, close this book right now and get …”. And, that piece of information is essential to the performance of the effect. So, now you don’t fully understand the explanation until you research something else. This is ok for a bonus effect, but not for one of the advertised effects. If someone is paying for an effect or a series of effects, give them complete explanations.

There were also times when major components of the explanation were just left out entirely. For example, there is an effect where the participant writes a word on a piece of paper and the performer reads their mind and makes a drawing of that word on a separate piece of paper. The original participant billet is placed under a cup during performance and a separate piece of paper is used for the performer drawing. There is no mention in the explanation of what to do with the piece of paper under the cup or how to do cleanup at the conclusion of the effect. Human instinct is to want to compare the two at the end, but that isn't possible with this method, and there is no explanation as to how to handle that situation.

In addition, one of his routines had a flawed use of the equivoque principle. The effect has two phases of equivoque, both of which end in a "keep" or "discard" decision by the performer. The problem is that if one ends in "keep" and the other in "discard", you have just created an inconsistency which flaws the magic. It would have been easy enough to make a slight change in the handling to avoid this problem. His handling broke a cardinal rule in magic.

The booklet does have some good ideas, but it was very frustrating for me to try to fill in the various gaps in the explanations and to have to rework methods that were flawed.

Because there was a great deal of creativity in the effects, and I can see potential in the entertainment aspect of the presentation, perhaps Pablo can re-think these effects and come up with cleaner methods and better, more complete explanations.

CAUTION

Unless you are prepared to stop in the middle of an explanation, buy something else, wait for it to come in, study it to figure out what you need, and then go back to the explanation, you might want to pass on this one.

Product info for Mysteries Anywhere

Imagine if you could perform powerful mentalism anywhere, just with a few borrowed objects. Imagine no more.

Mysteries Anywhere is a compendium of solid mental experiences that you can perform in any situation, without prior preparation.

Effects:

1. Perfect Coin,maybe: A miracle in the purse of your participant. He takes a coin from his pocket and hides it in his fist. You can instantly create mysterious things with the coin and your participant, finishing with the revelation of the coin and the date. Borrowed coin, no classical methodology.

2. I.D.S. : This abbreviation is a mystery. This idea can build you a reputation as a mindreader. A way to create an impromptu in your face dummy billet, a very easy billet switch and a bold full billet peek, all combined to create a mental miracle. (this effect appears also in the "Mindreading Lesson 12" by Kenton Knepper)

3. Chronoincidence: A Watch Routine that is very clean. One participant thinks of a time, another participant turns the stem of a watch. The two hours match. Nothing is written.

4. OHP: Predict the future in an open manner in your hands. One card is predicted in a loud voice, one card is turned over in the deck. Prediction is correct.

5. The Frankenstein Experiment: Three participants will be creating life, and you, astonishing moments of mindreading. Each participant thinks in different characteristics of this new creature, and you are able to reveal it. A kind of 4th Dimension Telepathy with an interesting presentation behind it.

6. Mysteries Anywhere New Ideas: New ideas for the effects in the book.

7. The challenge of Zeus: Imagine if you can challenge the Great Greek God ,save your life and give a mystery experience.

And 2 Essays about Mentalism and performance .

Opinions:

"Pablo, I like your material and I am proud of your work." Nefesch -The mind behind the Pure Thing

"I am always honored when my work inspires performers to new and exciting levels. Pablo Amira's book builds upon reliable principles and expands them into new useful effects that can be performed anywhere. Much of it will look like real Mind Reading or hypnotic influence. My kind of thinking!" Kenton Knepper - The Wizard of Words

Pablo has a wonderful creative mind, and he aims for an intense sense of realism in his work. Mysteries Anywhere is a great collection of some of his thinking providing real world routines that are impromptu. I particularly enjoyed "I.D.S." and "The Frankenstein Experiment", but all the work in this book is strong usable material". Thom Bleasdale-Creator of the Tommy Pad and a very nice guy.

"Mysteries Anywhere is full of great routines and principles. One of my favorites is his IDS, a great utility item that can be applied to numerous routines. Great work Pablo!! I'm looking forward to "Mysteries Anywhere 2"!! " Paul Carnazzo - Mr. "Pocket Mentalism Cards"

"Pablo has create some startling new effects, taking inspirations from many of the greats and adding a touch of psychological genius to each one to make it his own. Look out for anything this guy releases as its sure to be a big hit!" Matt Townsend - A REAL Psychic

"Pablo Amirá has concocted some truly lovely and meaningful magic in this book! I'm impressed!" Ben Harris - Creator of Silent Running and other cool effects

"This is a great e-book. Pablo has some great ideas Get this NOW" Alex Hinojosa- MagicCafe member

"OHP is an excellent effect. My kind of work" Vinny Marini - The Godfather of Magic

"I have used IDS with great success. Its the sort of thing you save for just the perfect moment; yet you could do it with any pen(cil) and any piece of paper/card available!" Carlos La Borde - "Mysteries Anywhere" Fan